# Varvara — The Little Demon character guide > Varvara in The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Varvara Dmitrievna, Varvara Dmitrievna Maloshina, Varya, Vara **First appearance:** 0006-i ## Snapshot Peredonov's cousin and would-be wife, who trades on a princess's phantom promise to keep a paranoid man tethered to her. ## Who they are Varvara wants the marriage, and she wants the inspector's post she claims Princess Volchanskaya will arrange once the knot is tied—though the princess, inconveniently, is never quite findable. She listens to gossip about Sasha with apprehension, measuring rivals and rumors alike. Her scheming is small-scale and domestic, but it feeds directly into Peredonov's mounting suspicion that everyone, including her, is deceiving him. ## In the story ### [Author's Preface to the Second Russian Edition, 1908](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/author-s-preface-to-the-second-russian-edition-1908) Listed among the characters depicted in the novel. ### [Author's Preface to the Fifth Russian Edition, 1909](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/author-s-preface-to-the-fifth-russian-edition-1909) Allegedly convinced others that Peredonov had cause for his actions and interested Princess Volchanskaya in his fate. ### [The Little Demon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/the-little-demon) Varvara is caught in the crossfire of Peredonov's paranoid accusations and erratic behavior. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/i) Peredonov's cousin; he claims she received the Princess's promise, but others doubt her reliability. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/ii) Anxiously prepares tarts, defends herself against Peredonov's accusations, and is angered by his threats to marry Marta. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/iii) Watches the dancing, encourages Volodin's mischief, picks up money thrown by Peredonov, and later plots with Grushina to forge a letter from the Princess. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/v) Informs Peredonov about Natashka's job with the gendarmes; uses nettle friction to appear plumper; hosts visitors; distressed by Peredonov's absence. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/vii) Grumbles at Peredonov for not coming home, gives him the forged letter, claims she burned the envelope, trembles under suspicion. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned by Peredonov as his cousin and intended bride, central to the rumors he seeks to dispel. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/ix) At home, uses persuasion to urge Peredonov to marry her, but he remains indecisive. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xi) Visits Grushina, hears the rumor about Pilnikov being a girl, and later tells Peredonov out of malice. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xviii) Waits at home for Peredonov; her card-laying and smile fuel his paranoia about bewitchment. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xx) Steals and burns the first forged letter at Grushina's insistence, lies to Peredonov about it, and receives the cursed hat from a red-haired boy. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxi) Varvara excitedly reports the cat with rattles sent by Irishka, appearing untidy and agitated. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxiii) Marries Peredonov, becomes more assured and independent, makes social visits with a ridiculous hat, and shows pride and awkwardness. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxiv) Anxiously awaits return visits, encourages Peredonov's delusions out of spite, and feels socially inadequate after the Headmaster's wife visits. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxv) Suffers from Peredonov's glue prank, answers for him about the inspector job, and hides behind doors to mock him. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxvii) Observes Peredonov's rage with malicious amusement, believing he is merely angry about being fooled. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxviii) Composes an anonymous letter about Sasha and Liudmilla with Grushina. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxxii) Smiles knowingly during the supper, participates in taunting Peredonov, and flees in horror after the murder. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters/varvara - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_demon_se/characters